Students collect items for homeless students

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By Andy Barrand

Hillsdale.net - Hillsdale, MI

By Andy Barrand

Posted Dec. 13, 2012 at 9:15 AM

By Andy Barrand
Posted Dec. 13, 2012 at 9:15 AM

Hillsdale, Mich.

andy.barrand@hillsdale.net

COLDWATER — Students at the Branch Area Careers Center recently did their part to help homeless Head Start students in Branch and Hillsdale Counties. The students from the business, management marketing technologies program, health science program and staff collected donations, underwear, socks and sweat suits. Jeanna Tesch, Branch County McKinney-Vento Circle of Care coordinator, said there is a need to provide clothing items, especially new socks and underwear, for students in both counties. “The fundraiser went over well,” Tesch said. The McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act is a federal law that ensures immediate enrollment and educational stability for homeless children and youth. McKinney-Vento provides federal funding to states for the purpose of supporting district programs that serve homeless students. Tesch said the federal funding for the program has been cut over the past couple of years and coordinators have had to look to other methods to raise funds and receive donations for the program. Tesch works closely with homeless liaisons at each school system in both counties. The current number of homeless students in both counties is around 765. “It is unbelievable,” Tesch said. “I think there needs to be more awareness brought to this problem.” Homeless students include children who are doubled up living with friends or relatives, unattended youth (students who live on their own) and those living in hotels, motels and campgrounds. “We help to provide services for them including free lunches, transportation and immediate needs of the students,” Tesch said. Tesch said several schools around the area have stepped up to raise funds and donations to help students. Reynolds Elementary School in Reading currently is collecting hats, gloves and scarves. Coldwater recently held a 5K Turkey Trot to raise funds and other schools are having pop can drives. Tesch, who works out of offices at the Branch County Coalition Against Domestic Violence, said donations are taken throughout the year. “New socks and underwear are golden to us,” she said, because that is something people don’t think about donating. The Branch County Coalition Against Domestic Violence is located at 220 North Michigan Ave. in Coldwater.